Closure for collapsible tubes



Dec. 3, 1929. A E SMH-H `1,738,080

CLOSUXE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed July l5. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FELL I N VEN TOR.

'ARTHUR E. sfw/TH vATTURNEY- Fatented Dee. 3, 1929 UNITED .-.STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSU'IRE FOB COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Applicationled July 15, 1926. Serial NU. 122,565.

This invention relates tol closures for collapsible tubes..

The general object of the invention is to provide a valved closure for collapsible tubes it, wherein means is provided for assuring that the valve will remain closed when pressure is removed troni the tube.

lnother object of the invention is to provide a collapsible tube closure having an autoyw matic valve with spring means lor assuring that the valve will positively close.

n[ltlier objects oiA the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying draw lil ings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a collapsible tube having a closure thereon embodying the tentures oi my invention;

Fig. 2 is a central sectional view through a closure embodying the teatures ot my invention; v

Fig. 3 is an end view of the closure;

Fig. d is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the closure peritorated and ready for use;

Fig. 5 is a view ot the closure showing the operation ot eirtruding the material;

Fig. li is a section on line 6-6, Fig. 3;

Fig. l' is a view similar to Fig. 9; showing a slight niodilication oil my invention;

Fig. is an end view oi the closure shown in Fig. l with the spring inserted;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 3e-9, Fig. 8 with the seal removed and a spring inserted;

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the seal removed;

Fig. ll is a view similar to Fig. l0 showing the valve in dispensing position;

Fig. l2 is a perspective view ot one iorrn oit the spring;

Fig. i3 is a detail showing the spring holding members.;

Fig. ll is a perspective view oi a collapsible tube having a cap thereon;

Fig. l5 is a central sectional view through the cap shown in Fig. la;

Fig. lr6 is an enlarged plan loolring at the end ot the closure and showing the manner oit puncturing the closure and Fig. i7 is a sectional view through the closure in position.

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Referring to the drawing by reference characters', I have indicated a collapsible tube genera-ily at l0. This tube may contain dentirice, paste, or other material and the body 'of the tube is preferably flexible while the end portion ll is more or less still. This end portion l1 is provided with a threaded neclr l2 which has a dispensing aperture lll therein.

The neck l2 is shown as threaded as at l5 although it will be understood that ineans other than the threads may be used tor securing the closure indicated generally at 1G on the neclr. This closure 16 as shown in Fig. 2 is preferably made of rubber and comprises a body portion which is provided with a slrirt portion l? and a boss 18. This boss 18 is provided with an indentation or other inarlr 'i9 which serves as a cutting line. The boss i8 is normally imperforated and to use the cap the operator will cut the cap along the indentation 'i9 to provide a slit 20 as shown in Fig. d.

Gn opposite sides oit the slit l shew a wire member 2l which is looped to surround the slit when the latter is cut and which is suit ciently ilerrible and resilient so that the tendency ot this wire member will be to close the slit. The wire member 2l will preferably be inserted in the closure member under tension. To do this, it may be held in a strained position by a narrow stift member :22 such as shown in Fig. i3 until it is vulcanized in place, after which the member 22 will be renioved. The inner portion of the closure member is shown as provided with bosses 2d and 241i. These bosses may be of suitable configuration and will be arranged to provide added thickness oi rubber which tends to keep the slit 2O closed when pressure is removed from the tube l0. Tn Fig. 5 the material as shown at 25 is shown as being extruded.

In Fig.. 7 l showthe closure member i6 as provided with the boss 18 and bosses 23 and 24. The closure in this case is provided with a slit 30 which is molded therein. This preformed slit 30 is normally closed by a seal 3l so that in order to use the contents of the tube the operator must'first cut oil the seal with "lll scissors or'other sharp instrument, so that the slit will be exposed.

connection with this closure having the preformed slit I may use, if desired, a spring member shown in Flg. 12 at 35. This spring closure member is provided with end portions 36 which are adapted to engage the inner wall of the closure adjacent the lends of the slit 31 thus tending to hold the slit elongated and maintaining it with the walls together to retard movement of the material through the slit, and to hold the closure sealed when pressure is removed from the tube 10.

In Figs. 14 to 17 inclusive, I show a slight modification wherein a rubber closure 40 is fitted on a collapsible tube 41. The closure is lprovided with a dispensing hole 42. AThis ole 42 is made when the end of the cap is stretched as shown in Fig. 16, by means of a pointed instrument shown at 45. After piercing the implement 45 is removed and when the 'closure is released the hole 42 at-once becomes closed.

When the closure is arranged on the neck 43 of the tube and suiicient pressure is applied the closure will stretch so that the contents of the tube will be dispensed. When i pressure is removedthe hole 42 automatically closes. t

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A closure for a collapsible tube, said closure comprising a flexible member having an end portion thereon, said end portion having a resilient strip therein, said strip extending transverse of said end portion.

2. In combination with a collapsible tube having a flexible body and a relativelystili end, a closure secured upon said end, said closure comprising a flexible member having an ex osed end portion, said closure having a gui e thereon for'indicating a cutting line, said closure being imperforate.

3. A closure for a collapsible tube, said closure including a body portion, means to secure said body portion upon a collapsible tube, said closure having a guide thereon to indicate a cutting line and means in the portion of said closure adjacent said guide for rendering said portion less flexible.

4. A closure for a collapsible tube, said closure including a body portion and a portion for engaging a collapsible tube, said body portion having a portion adapted to be cut to form a dispensing slit therein, said closure having bosses thereon to provide portions of added thickness, said bosses being disposed adjacent said portion to increase the tendency of the slit when formed to close.

5. In combination with a collapsible tube having a flexible body and a stii end, a closure removably secured upon said stiff end, said closure comprising a rubber member having a cylindrica outer portion having a boss thereon and having a guide thereon for inportion having an en portion thereon, and

'a resilient spring member arranged in said end portion, said spring member tending to maintain said end portion in normal osition.

7. In combination with a collapsible tube, a closure secured upon said tube, said closure comprising a rubber member having an end portion and having a guide line thereon for indicating a cutting line, said closure being imperforate, said c osure having a resilient strip therein, said strip extending substantially parallel to a side of said indicating line.

8. In combination with a collapsible tube having a flexible body and a stiff end, a closure removably secured upon said stiff end, said closure comprising a rubber member having a cylindrical outer portion having a boss thereon and having a guide line thereon for indicating a roper cutting line, said closure being imper orate, said closure having a resilient strip therein, said stri extending substantially parallel to the si e of said indicating line.

9. A closure for a collapsible tube, said closure including a body portion having a skirt thereon, said skirt having means thereon for engaging a collapsible tube, said body portion having an end portion thereon, said closure having bosses disposed adjacent said end portion to increase the rigidity of the end portion and a resilient spring member arranged in said end portion, said spring member serving to increase the rigidity of the end portion.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aix my signature.

ARTHUR E. SMITH. 

